12-01-24

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
December 1, 2024
It’s the first day of December 2024, marking the beginning of the last month of the calendar year, but according to the Christian calendar, it is the new year. Advent, a period of preparation for the birth of Jesus, signifies the entry point into the new cycle in the Christian year. It is here that we see the story of Jesus unfold, beginning with an angel appearing to a priest named Zechariah with the news that his wife Elizabeth would give birth to the forerunner of the Christ Child. His name would be John. That encounter would be followed by another angelic visit, which is where we will focus our attention today in worship. The angel’s first words spoken to Mary in the second encounter were, “‘Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” The Greek word we translate as favored is χαριτόω (charitoó) which has its root word, Charis, which is the Greek word often translated as grace. Mary was declared to be favored. Was Mary bestowed with any more grace (unmerited kindness and love) than anyone else? If grace is the fullness of divine love and mercy, and such gifts are limitless and given without condition, it doesn’t seem right to claim that Mary was any more favored than Susie in the house next door. Having such gifts bestowed upon us, choosing to accept them, and being open to a certain level of expectation is when things change. I wonder how often messengers from God make an appearance, inviting us to claim the freely given grace of God, but we do not recognize the amazing gifts or the messenger who invites us to live in response to such gifts. Mary noticed Gabriel, and though a bit perplexed, she would go on to say, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said.”

As we step across this sacred threshold, entering the Advent season, I turn to you, O Generous and Ever-giving God, seeking a word of direction on what I am being invited to do with your immeasurable love and unending mercy. As you entrusted Mary with a holy purpose, I can only pray that my response will be marked by unwavering faithfulness and a spirit of boldness. Amen.